Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faegheh Farhadi, Vafa Baradaran Rahimi, Neda Mohamadi, Vahid Reza Askari
Summary: This review examined the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA), carnosic acid (CaA), rosmanol (RO), carnosol (CA), and ursolic acid (UA) on allergic and immunological disorders. RA shows promise as a treatment for asthma due to its suppression of the NF-kappa B pathway. CA and UA reduce the expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, improving airway inflammation. Rosemary's anti-cancer effect is mediated through various mechanisms such as DNA fragmentation and apoptosis induction.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ke Jin, Xun Shi, Jiaheng Liu, Wenwen Yu, Yanfeng Liu, Jianghua Li, Guocheng Du, Xueqin Lv, Long Liu
Summary: Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) were synthesized with titers of 7.4 and 3.0 mg/L, respectively, through the heterologous expression and optimization of CrAS, CrAO, and AtCPR1. By redirecting metabolic flux and enhancing the NADPH regeneration system, the titers of UA and OA were increased to 692.3 and 253.4 mg/L in a shake flask, and to 1132.9 and 433.9 mg/L in a 3-L fermenter, respectively, which are the highest reported to date. This study provides a reference for constructing microbial cell factories for efficient terpenoid synthesis.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victor M. Vergara-Martinez, Samuel E. Estrada-Soto, Susana Valencia-Diaz, Karlina Garcia-Sosa, Luis Manuel Pena-Rodriguez, Jose de Jesus Arellano-Garcia, Irene Perea-Arango
Summary: This study successfully established hairy root cultures of L. caulescens and showed that sucrose and MeJA treatments can significantly enhance the production of UA, OA and RA. Future research should focus on further increasing the production of these bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabrina Lekmine, Samira Bendjedid, Ouided Benslama, Antonio Ignacio Martin-Garcia, Samira Boussekine, Kenza Kadi, Salah Akkal, Gema Nieto, Rokayya Sami, Amina A. M. Al-Mushhin, Morooj M. Baakdah, Abeer M. Aljaadi, Saif A. Alharthy
Summary: The phenolic constituents of the Astragalus armatus Willd. plant were extracted and identified using the ultrasound-assisted extraction method and LC-MS/MS analysis. The extract showed strong antioxidant activity and significant inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The identified phenolic substances, particularly rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids, highlight the significance of the A. armatus plant in cosmetics, food additives, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anuj Kumar, Gourav Choudhir, Sanjeev Kumar Shukla, Mansi Sharma, Pankaj Tyagi, Arvind Bhushan, Madhu Rathore
Summary: The study identifies three natural metabolites, namely ursolic acid, carvacrol, and oleanolic acid, as potential inhibitors of the main protease (M-pro) of COVID-19. These molecules have stable and favorable energies, passing absorption and metabolism criteria, suggesting they could regulate M-protein function and control viral replication.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Karolina Grabowska, Pawel Zmudzki, Dagmara Wrobel-Biedrawa, Irma Podolak
Summary: The aboveground parts, especially leaves, of both Glechoma species are abundant sources of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. Dichloromethane as an extractant provides the best extraction efficiency for obtaining triterpene-rich extracts from Glechoma species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fatima Javed Mirza, Sanila Amber, Sumera, Deeba Hassan, Touqeer Ahmed, Saadia Zahid
Summary: The study demonstrated the proneurogenic effects of rosmarinic acid and ursolic acid in an A beta(1-42)-induced AD mouse model, showing protection against deficits in spatial and recognition memory and changes in anxiety. Treatment with these compounds normalized neuronal density and levels of neurogenic and synaptic markers.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Renjie Zhan, Phillip M. Gerk
Summary: In this study, ursolic acid sulfate (UAS) was identified as a major metabolite of ursolic acid (UA), and an analytical method was developed to quantitate UAS. The method was validated in human subcellular fractions and can be used for further research and clinical applications.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiangyang Wang, Yuexin Qian, Xue Li, Xue Jia, Zhexuan Yan, Min Han, Miao Qiao, Xiaohui Ma, Yang Chu, Shuiping Zhou, Wenzhi Yang
Summary: RA is a compound widely found in herbs of the Lamiaceae family, exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological properties. A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the quantitative determination of RA, CA, and FA in a rapid and reliable manner. Metabolism and availability of RA and its metabolites were studied in rats after oral and intravenous administration.
BIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanda Baer-Dubowska, Maria Narozna, Violetta Krajka-Kuzniak
Summary: Naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid oleanolic acid (OA) serves as a good scaffold for synthetic derivatives, with the most promising one being 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO). The new group of synthetic triterpenoids, OA oximes, exhibit strong anti-cancer activity and play a significant role in intervening cancer development.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bruno Fonseca-Santos, Giovanna Angeli Araujo, Paula Scanavez Ferreira, Francesca Damiani Victorelli, Andressa Maria Pironi, Victor Hugo Sousa Araujo, Suzana Goncalves Carvalho, Marlus Chorilli
Summary: Skin inflammation is a common symptom of various skin diseases, and the use of natural products with anti-inflammatory properties has become important in its treatment. This study focuses on formulating and characterizing lipid-surfactant-based systems for the delivery of ursolic acid (UA) to alleviate skin inflammation. Microemulsions and liquid crystalline systems were successfully developed and characterized using various techniques. In vivo studies demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects of the formulated systems. These findings support the development of colloidal systems for the delivery of UA in the treatment of skin inflammation.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kartini Kartini, Nina Wati, Rabbindra Gustav, Risa Wahyuni, Yosua Fernaldi Anggada, Risna Hidayani, Antoni Raharjo, Ridho Islamie, Sulistyo Emantoko Dwi Putra
Summary: This study investigated the wound healing effects of P. major leaf extracts, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid in hyperglycemic rats. The results showed that these substances can improve wound closure and accelerate healing time without causing acute dermal irritation. It was also found that UA and OA may have different mechanisms of action in promoting wound healing in diabetic conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Wronska, Michal Szlaur, Katarzyna Zawadzka, Katarzyna Lisowska
Summary: Currently, there is a need for new antimicrobial drugs due to the excessive use of antibiotics and emerging resistance amongst bacteria. This study found that two triterpenoids and one flavonoid displayed antimicrobial activity and showed potential synergistic effects, enhancing the antimicrobial potential.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marius Mioc, Andreea Milan, Daniel Malita, Alexandra Mioc, Alexandra Prodea, Roxana Racoviceanu, Roxana Ghiulai, Andreea Cristea, Florina Caruntu, Codruta Soica
Summary: This review summarizes recent literature on the mechanism of action of three triterpenic acids and their biological activities. The compounds share similar mechanisms in anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities, while also highlighting specific mechanisms for individual triterpenic acids.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karla Catalina Cruz-Torres, Samuel Estrada-Soto, Luis Arias-Duran, Gabriel Navarrete-Vazquez, Julio Cesar Almanza-Perez, Beatriz Mora-Ramiro, Irene Perea-Arango, Emanuel Hernandez-Nunez, Rafael Villalobos-Molina, Gabriela Carmona-Castro, Irma-Martha Medina-Diaz, Gabriela avila-Villarreal
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a standardized precipitate of Agastache mexicana extract on vasorelaxation and blood pressure. The results showed that the extract induced significant antihypertensive effects by producing nitric oxide and blocking calcium channels to relax rat aortic rings.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Pei-Sheng Lee, Ying-Ying Lu, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi-Tang Ho, Hui-Ching Mei, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study found that Calebin A, a novel compound derived from medicinal turmeric, has a good thermogenesis function and can modulate the composition of gut microbiota, thus reducing obesity induced by high-fat diet. Additionally, Calebin A can decrease body weight, blood sugar levels, and adipose tissue load in obese mice, demonstrating its potential as an anti-obesity agent.
JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hua-Tsung Lin, An- Yeh, Tuan-Hua David Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan, Shih Hsin Chen
Summary: Cassava starch was modified with amylomaltase (AMase) to investigate its structural changes and retrogradation properties. The AMase treatment resulted in an increase in molecular weight and a reorganization of chain distributions in amylose and amylopectin. The extent of retrogradation was influenced by the enzyme/substrate ratio and reaction time. A new insight into the structural characteristics of the modified starch and its long-term retrogradation was gained through the analysis of the long-to-short chain ratio, the enzyme/substrate ratio, and reaction time.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Sheng Lin, Tai-Ling Chueh, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi -Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of Piceatannol (PIC) and 3'-hydroxypterostilbene (HPSB) on DSS-induced colitis in mice. The findings showed that both PIC and HPSB attenuated inflammation by inhibiting specific pathways and reducing inflammasome activation. PIC was also effective in modulating tight junctions. Additionally, both PIC and HPSB altered the composition of gut microbiota. These results suggest that PIC may be more effective in maintaining gut barrier integrity than HPSB and could be a promising ingredient for colitis prevention.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yen-Chun Koh, Lee-Han Kuo, Ya-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Tung, Yi-Chen Lo, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study investigates the anti-aging potential of fermented black soybean and adlay (FBA) supplements. The results show that FBA supplementation prevents muscle loss, reduces aging biomarkers, improves gut microbial dysbiosis, and reverses the reduced ability of microbiota in aged mice. These findings suggest that FBA has significant anti-aging effects and can be developed as a functional food for healthy aging.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yen-Chun Koh, Dickson Chok, Chun-Han Chang, Chia-Cheng Wei, Chia-Tung Wu, Ko-Chun Cheng, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the preventive effect of piceatannol on glutamate-induced neurodegeneration via mitochondrial rescue. The results show that piceatannol can prevent glutamate-induced apoptosis, reduce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation, promote mitochondrial biogenesis, and preserve mitochondrial functionality. Piceatannol effectively protects dopaminergic neurons from degradation and preserves their controlled responses.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donporn Wongwaiwech, Sudthida Kamchonemenukool, Chi-Tang Ho, Shiming Li, Nutthaporn Majai, Tepsuda Rungrat, Kawee Sujipuli, Min-Hsiung Pan, Monthana Weerawatanakorn
Summary: Crude rice bran oils from different rice cultivars and extraction methods have varying levels of nutraceuticals. The health benefits of rice bran oil in lowering cholesterol are due in part to non-nutrient nutraceuticals such as ?-oryzanol, phytosterols, and policosanols. In this study, the nutraceutical composition and antioxidant properties of crude rice bran oils extracted using different technologies were compared. The results showed that subcritical liquefied dimethyl ether extraction produced oils with higher yield and higher levels of phenolic compounds, ?-oryzanol, phytosterols, and policosanols compared to conventional hexane extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction. Overall, the choice of extraction method significantly affected the composition and properties of the crude rice bran oil.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Sheng Lin, Wan-Chen Cheng, Pin-Yu Ho, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: The study indicates that NBT and 5-DMNB can reduce B[a]P metabolism and protect against B[a]P-induced DNA damage by modulating the AhR/CYP1s signaling pathway. This protective effect was observed in both cell and mouse models. These findings suggest that NBT and 5-DMNB have potential for chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yu Xiao, Min-hsiung Pan, Yi-shiou Chiou, Zhenshun Li, Shudong Wei, Xiaoli Yin, Baomiao Ding
Summary: The interaction mechanism between nanoliposomes (NL) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) was studied. It was found that NL formed complexes with beta-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S), resulting in static quenching of the endogenous fluorescence emissions of 7S and 11S, and increased polarity of the SPI fluorophore. The interaction between NL and SPI was exothermic, altered the secondary structures of 7S/11S, exposed more hydrophobic groups on protein surfaces, and had a large zeta potential to ensure system stability. Hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridge played important roles in the interaction, which were mainly influenced by the protein characteristics such as amino acid composition, surface hydrophobicity, and advanced structure. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the interaction mechanism between NL and SPI.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chun Ming How, Ko-Chun Cheng, Yong-Shan Li, Min-Hsiung Pan, Chia-Cheng Wei
Summary: This study investigated the effects of chronic exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on aging in Caenorhabditis elegans, and found that BaP exposure aggravated protein aggregation, shortened lifespan, and worsened age-related decline in motility and pharyngeal pumping. In addition, BaP exposure increased the expression of heat shock proteins and reduced survival under heat stress. However, dietary supplementation with Tangeretin (TAN) alleviated the BaP-induced decline in motility, pumping, and protein accumulation, and restored heat shock proteins' expression levels.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yen-Chun Koh, Shin-Jhih Lin, Kai-Yu Hsu, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: The study suggests that PSB and PIN, two analogs of resveratrol, can enhance thermogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis, thus improving obesity and gut microbiota dysbiosis. PSB has a greater effect than PIN in activating the SIRT1 pathway.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yen-Chun Koh, Lee-Han Kuo, Yen-Chen Tung, Monthana Weerawatanakorn, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Gut microbial indicators in aged mice have been identified, and these indicators are associated with human diseases and relevant metabolic processes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Monthana Weerawatanakorn, Sang He, Chun-Han Chang, Yen-Chun Koh, Meei-Ju Yang, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Obesity and overweight pose a growing risk for various health conditions, and diet, especially tea consumption, has been identified as a potential intervention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GABA oolong tea extracts (OTEs) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity using male C57BL/6 J mice. The results showed that GABA OTEs reduced leptin expression, protected against fatty liver disease, and promoted thermogenesis and lipid metabolism, therefore preventing obesity development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Sheng Lin, Wan-Chen Cheng, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the intestines, and Virofree has shown potential in preventing this disease. This study found that Virofree can alleviate intestinal inflammation and modulate the gut microbiota in mice.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kai-Yu Hsu, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Turmeric is a medicinal plant commonly used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine. It has various health benefits due to the active components called curcuminoids. This article reviews the composition of turmeric and the properties of curcumin, highlighting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-colorectal cancer, and other physiological activities. It also discusses the challenges of using curcumin and provides three novel application strategies to overcome these limitations.
JOURNAL OF FOOD AND DRUG ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chun Ming How, Ko-Chun Cheng, Yong-Shan Li, Min-Hsiung Pan, Chia-Cheng Wei
Summary: This study finds that chronic exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has negative effects on aging, and Tangeretin (TAN) supplementation can alleviate the aging toxicity induced by BaP.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)